You seem like a smart guy. I think if in good faith, you did a study of historical periods beginning in the first century in the light of the order of , meaning of, and words to the churches in Chapters 2 & 3 you'd find startling parallels right up to now - a godless age (Jesus knocking outside not only the church but the world) of lukewarmness towards God, where many people believe they have no need for God, exactly as Jesus spoke of the Laodiceans.
I believe that is called "patronizing."
>>> I think if in good faith, you did a study of historical periods beginning in the first century in the light of the order of , meaning of, and words to the churches in Chapters 2 & 3 you'd find startling parallels right up to now - a godless age (Jesus knocking outside not only the church but the world) of lukewarmness towards God, where many people believe they have no need for God, exactly as Jesus spoke of the Laodiceans.<<<
In good faith, I have studied historical periods, and continue to do so. I am certain I could never arrive at the conclusions you arrived at because I do not believe they are biblical. Further, I believe all of the Revelation up to 20:8 has been fulfilled, and was fulfilled by the end of AD 70, exactly as Christ predicted. I also believe that Satan has been loosed for some time on an unsuspecting Church, world-wide (exactly as Christ predicted in Rev 20,) and has created all sorts of havoc: for example, changing our once God-fearing nation into another Sodom and Gomorrah, not to mention the former Christian nations of Europe. But he will be destroyed in due time.
How do you interpret this passage?
"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Rev 3:9-10 KJV)
Philip